Feeding Issues

[piper]

Hello, I just want to get everyones opinion on this. I have searched so please don't tell me... I'd just like to hear advice from everyone in my personal situation.

I currently have a male mojave.. He has been a problem feeder from the beginning.. I'm really starting to get worried. When I got him he was on f/t rat pups but a poor eater, not an overly huge feeding response, I moved him to a very small tub (not sure of the dimensions) with just a hide, water dish and he was on aspen. This stressed him about completely, he escaped, had major nose rubs, and very scared all the time. Now he seems more comfortable in a larger tub, not trying to escape, hiding etc. He seems to have a trend where he will eat twice, then stop for a month, eat twice, stop for a month. He's really thin as well.. loose skin. I'm not sure what to do, I have tried all methods. He just recently shed but he hasn't really gained any weight in about 6 months, just staying steady between 400-420 grams.
At first he would eat with the lights on, when I tried asf's he finally struck and coiled the rat, I was very excited to say the least. Now he shows no interest. I have tried rats, asf's and mice.

In people experienced opinions, does this seem like he may be a live feeder, where he will take f/t when he feels like he wants to? Or do people have snakes that are like this as well. I'm really starting to get worried.

Temps are good, 80*f ambient, 90*-92*f on the warm side. Also, the current setup he's in I now have put balled up newspaper in the tub with him, but he is now hiding underneath the paper towel.

Sorry for the long post..

Thanks,
Mike

[Freakie_frog]

Take him for a car ride.. don't offer for about a week or two..then toss him in a bag and take him for a car ride. I've had to do a couple of snakes that way. you may have to do it every week till he get's to eating good..then again he may never be a great eater..

[sho220]

If he'll take live prey by all means feed him live.

Have you taken him to a vet? Maybe he's got a health issue going on...some internal parasites can cause feeding issues...

[piper]

If he'll take live prey by all means feed him live.

Have you taken him to a vet? Maybe he's got a health issue going on...some internal parasites can cause feeding issues...

Yea I thought about that too. I've almost contacted the person a few times about picking up a live rat pup and then he'll eat for me. I get to this point again and he'll probably eat when I offer again.

He has such a poor feeding response I'd be nervous feeding him live.

What do people do with rat pups that don't get fed off? All of my other snakes take f/t and are all eating fine.

[piper]

Take him for a car ride.. don't offer for about a week or two..then toss him in a bag and take him for a car ride. I've had to do a couple of snakes that way. you may have to do it every week till he get's to eating good..then again he may never be a great eater..

I will try this when it warms up, hopefully it'll be resolved before this though. (winter time here).

What does a car ride do for them?

Thanks

[Freakie_frog]

I will try this when it warms up, hopefully it'll be resolved before this though. (winter time here).

What does a car ride do for them?

Thanks

Not sure but I've gotten more than one stubborn feeder to eat that way

[piper]

Anyone else have any advice on this?

[Kaorte]

Try live. Don't worry about him getting hurt, just supervise the feeding. If feeding live is enough to get him to eat every week I would feed live in a heartbeat.


If he isn't showing signs of stress and still won't eat live, I would suggest bagging some poo (if you can) and bring it to the vet. He could have some kind of internal parasite or something.